Releasable heel hold-down device for a ski

ABSTRACT

A releasable heel hold-down device is mounted on a ski so that a base part and a housing pivotally mounted on the base part extend in the longitudinal direction of the ski. A crank pivotally mounts the housing on the base part so that the crank pivots about a first axis on the base part and is pivotally connected to the housing about a second axis spaced forwardly of the first axis. Further, a journal extending laterally from the housing, is connected into an L-shaped slot in the base part and moves through the slot as the housing is displaced between a heel holddown position, a heel release position and a locked release position. The journal is spaced rearwardly from the first and second axes. In these different positions, the journal and the first and second axes define the corners of a triangle. In the hold-down position and the locked released position of the housing the connecting line between the second axis and the journal is located below the first axis, however, in the heel release position the first axis is located below the connecting line.

United States Patent [191 Unger Mar. 25, 1975 RELEASABLE HEEL HOLD-DOWN DEVICE FOR A SKI [76] inventor: Paul Unger, Bruckwiesenstrasse 113, 8501 Altenberg, Germany [22] Filed: Mar. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 338,344

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examiner-Robert R. Song Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Toren, McGeady and Stanger [57] ABSTRACT A releasable heel hold-down device is mounted on a ski so that a base part and a housing pivotally mounted on the base part extend in the longitudinal direction of theski. A crank pivotally mounts the housing on the base part so that the crank pivots about a first axis on the base part and is pivotally connected to the housing about a second axis spaced forwardly of the first axis. Further, a journal extending laterally from the housing, is connected into an L- shaped slot in the base part and moves through the slot as the housing is displaced between a heel holddown position, a heel release position and a locked release position. The journal is spaced rearwardly from the first and second axes. In these different positions, the journal and the first and second axes define the corners of a triangle. 1n the hold-down position and the locked released position of the housing the connecting line between the second axis and the journal is located below the first axis, however, in the heel release position the tirst axis is located below the connecting line.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures RELEASABLE HEEL HOLD-DOWN DEVICE FOR A SKI SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a releasable heel hold-down device for a ski and, more particularly, it concerns the manner in which a housing, on which a heel hold-down member is positioned, is pivotally mounted on a base part attached to a ski.

In the present invention a heel hold-down member extends from one end of the housing and the housing is pivotally connected by a crank for movement about a first axis extending transversely through the base part.

In addition, the crank is pivotally connected to the housing about a second axis spaced forwardly of the first axis on the base part. As the housing with its heel hold-down member pivots relative to the base part, it is guided in its movement by a pin or journal which extends laterally from the housing into a slot formed in the base part. The slot is located rearwardly and below the first axis. A spring extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski, is connected through a support to the forward end of the crank and the spring is adjustably mounted at its rearward end on either the base part or the housing. The spring biases the crank in the direction of the heel hold-down member on the housing.

In a known heel hold-down device for a ski of a type similar to the present invention, the parts of the device, after the heel of a ski boot has been released, move back into the original holding position due to the biasing action of a spring. In an improvement of such a device, locking means have been suggested which consist of a locking lever articulated on the base part and a locking pin on the housing or of two angularly disposed bearing surfaces which cooperate with a notch. While the operation of such heel hold-down devices has been satisfactory, the production of the locking means results in a considerable manufacturing expense.

Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a releasable heel hold-down device incorporating a spring biasing member which is displaceable between a heel holding position, a heel release position and a locked released position and in volves an arrangement of parts which is simple and in expensive to produce.

In accordance with the present invention, the problem faced by the prior art is solved by displaceably supporting the housing so that its movement is guided by a slot formed in the base part. The slot has an angular configuration with a first slot portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski and a second slot portion extending angularly downwardly from one end of the first slot portion. Further, the first axis in the base part and the second axis on the housing which, through the medium of the crank, afford the pivotal action of the housing, form the corners of a triangle in the different positions of the housing. In the holding position and the lock release position of the housing the first axis is located above a line extending between the second axis and the member on the housing extending into the slot in the base part. However, in the release position, the first axis is located below the line connecting the second axis and the member on the housing supported within the slot in the base part. To assure the locking effect in the holding position and in the lock release position, it is sufficient if the two axes of the housing and the base part and the sliding member of the housing in the slot of the base part form a triangular arrangement. With such an arrangement the production cost of the heel hold-down device is extremely low and is much lower than in previously known heel hold-down devices.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring biasing the crank is fixed at one end to a support on the crank and at its other end to a fixed support on the base part. By eliminating any spring support on the housing, the housing can be formed in a very simple manner from sheet metal. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous because it reduces the production costs and aids in the solution of the problem previously experienced in such devices.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a releasable heel hold-down device embodying the present invention with the device in the heel holding position;

FIG. 2 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, however, with the device in the heel releasing position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line IIlIlI in FIG. 1 representing, in a simplified manner, the ar rangement of the axes about which the device pivots;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 1- and 2 with the hold-down device in the locked released position; and

FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 4, showing another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the drawing a releasable heel hold-down device is shown mounted on a ski 1 with a base part 2 secured to the ski. Attachment of the base part can be effected by screws or it can be guided on the ski in the longitudinal direction between longitudinal guides, not shown, and under the action of a spring, not shown, so that the base part is axially displaceable by a certain amount. The base part can be formed of sheet metal and provided with side plates or it can be injection molded of plastic in one part with the requisite slots, bores and the like formed in the part.

The base part 2 extends in the longitudinal direction along the ski l and a crank 12 pivotally attached to the base part and also extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski, pivotally mounts a housing 8 on the base part. The crank 12 is articulated to the base part 2 about the axis Al, the axis extends horizontally and transversely of the longitudinal direction of the ski. As viewed in FIG. 1, a second axis A2, also extending horizontally and transversely of the longitudinal direction of the ski, forms the point of articulation of the crank to the housing. As seen in FIG. 1, the forward end of the housing 8 secures a ski boot ll, represented in phantom, on the ski. At the forward end of the housing 8, a vertically adjustable hold-down part 18 bears, in the hold-down or holding position of the device, on the rear edge of the heel of the ski boot. In addition, at the forward end of the housing 8 and located below the hold-down part 18 is a heel plate 3 on which the ski boot heel rests in the holding position.

The crank 12 projects rearwardly from the housing and the rearwardly projecting part forms an operating arm 6 for use in releasing the heel hold-down device.

In addition to the first and second axes A1 and A2, the movement of the housing is guided by means of journals or pins 6a which extend laterally from the housing into L-shaped slot guides 7 formed in the base part 2. As the housing is displaced the joumals or pins 6a move through the slot guides 7. This arrangement affords an articulation of the housing on the base part in the manner of a crank, with the connection between the axes Al and A2 provided by the crank 12 which represents kinematically the crank and the housingrepresenting the pushrod which moves through the slot guides 7.

Furthermore, a spring 9, extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski, bears, at its rearward end, against a fixed but adjustable screw support 20 on the base part 2 and, at'its forward end, bears against a support '19 and laterally encircles a pin 21 extending rearwardly from the support 19. The support 19 is articulated to the crank 12 by a hinge pin 22 which, like the axes A1 and A2, extends horizontally and transversely of the longitudinal direction of the ski.

The L-shaped slot guide 7 is formed of two angularly disposed slot portions 7 and 7" which, together with the journals 6a on the housing, form a locking device. As can be seen in the drawing, the first slot portion 7 extends in the sliding direction of the housing during the movement of the crank, while the second slot portion 7" extends angularly downwardly from the forward end of the first slot portion 7 in the direction of the ski. As mentioned above, FIG. 1 represents the holding position of the device, that is when a ski boot is being held on the ski, and the axes A1 and A2 along with the journal or sliding member 6a define the corners of a triangle. In this position the first axis A1 is located above the line which connects the second axis A2 and the journal 6a. However, in FIG. 2, which represents the maximum upward pivotal movement of the housing, so that a ski boot heel can be fully released, the axis Al is located below the line 15 extending between the second axis A2 and the journal 6a. With this arrangement, a sufficiently long release path is provided and an adequate release of the ski boot is afforded. Starting from the holding position, represented in FIG. 1, during a releasing operation, the housing initially undergoes a rotational movement of the axis A2 about the axis Al due to the movement of the crank 12, with the journal 6a sliding forwardly within the slot portion 7' from the position shown in FIG. 1. When the journal 60 reaches the forward end of the slot portion 7' above the second slot portion 7", it moves downwardly into the second slot portion. At the same time the axis Al passes through the line 15 which connects the axis A2 with the journals 6a. The connecting line 15 forms a dead center line. As can be seen in the drawing, the slot 7 is somewhat wider than the diameter of the journals 6a. Therefore, sufficient play is provided within the slot portion 7 for the movement of the journals so that the axis A1 can move unhindered upwardly and downwardly from the dead center line by the amount b. This movement is explained below. When the axis Al is located on the dead center line 15, the

journal 6a assumes the forwardmost position within the slot portion 7".

As mentioned above, in FIG. 2, the housing has pivoted to the maximum possible extent from the holding position represented by FIG. 1. The axis A2 has moved clockwise about axis A1 and the spring 9 has been compressed. Further, the hold-down part 18 has moved along an arcuate path.

From the maximum release position in FIG. 2, the parts of the heel hold-down device are moved counterclockwise by the biasing action of the spring 9 so that the axis A1 again passes through the dead center line 15 and the journals 6a bear in a locking fashion against the support surfaces 13 forming the rearward surfaces of the second slot portions 7. This locked release position is illustrated in FIG. 4. The distance b of the first axis A1 above the connecting line 15 corresponds approximately to the similarly designated distance b of the first axis Al below the connecting line 15 as shown in FIG. 2.

The wall 13 must be provided with an inclination to the direction of the application of the pressure of journals 6a, which results from the arrangement of the axes Al, A2 and the compressive force of the spring 9, so that the journals 6a are prevented from accidentally sliding out of the second slot portion 7". As shown in the drawing, the slope of the first slot portion 7' relative to the horizontal, corresponds substantially to the slope of the housing 8 in its release position relative to the horizontal. The second slot portion 7" is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the first slot portion 7". The base part 2, at least the part which forms the wall 13, can be formed of a plastic which is particularly wear-resistant. Further, to reduce friction, the journals 6a can be provided with rolling bushes. The upward movement of the housing 8 from the holding position into the release position can be accomplished either by excessive upward pressure of the boot on the holddown part 18 or by pushing downwardly on the rearwardly projecting operating arm 6 of the crank 12. When the upward pressure of the boot or the downward pressure of the operating arm or lever 6 is insufficient to displace the axis A1 through the connecting line 15, the parts of the device return to the position represented by FIG. 1. The distance a between the first axis A1 and the connecting line 15 in the holding position of the device, indicates the extent of the vertical elasticity of the heel hold-down device.

When the device is in the locked release position, that is when it is open, as represented by FIG. 4, and a downward force is exerted on the heel plate 3, journals 6a move upwardly out of the second slot portion 7" into the first slot portion 7. At the same time, the housing 8 moves downward under the action of the spring 9.

Since a relatively high vertical elasticity is desirable as a rule, it is advisable to select the distance a of the first axis Al from the connecting line 15 as great as possible for the holding position illustrated in FIG. 1. If the distance b of the first axis A1 from the connecting or dead center line 15 is selected to be relatively small when the device reaches its maximum pivoted position represented by FIG. 2, then a relatively wide aperture angle between the housing and the horizontal in the locked release position of the device is obtained.

The position of the axes A1 and A2 and of the journals 6a relative to one another, as well as the extent of the distances a and b, can be selected as required in accordance with different release conditions.

The pin 22 connecting the support 19 to the crank 12 is located above the axes Al and A2 and, preferably, is positioned forwardly of the axis A1 relative to the forward direction of the housing, that is the end on which the hold-down part 18 is located. With this arrangement, the effective force acting on the hold-down part 18 increases considerably during the movement of the device from the holding position shown in FIG. 1 into the maximum release position shown in H6. 2 since, on one hand, the spring 9 is compressed and, on the other hand, the lever arm acting between the pin 22 and the axis A1 increases in the course of this movement.

If the pin 22 is positioned rearwardly of the first axis Al, it is possible to assure that the effective force does not increase with the release movement of the holddown part 18, but extends linearly or even decreases.

As an alternative to forming the heel plate 3 inte grally with the housing 8, a two-arm lever 4, as illustrated in FIG. 5, can be pivotally mounted on the base part 2 about an axis 5 which extends horizontally and transversely of the longitudinal direction of the ski. The forward lever arm 4', extending forwardly from the axis 5 to a position forwardly of the housing, acts as a heel plate, while the rearward lever arm 4" is positioned below the journal 6a in the locked release position shown in FIG. 5. When a downward force is exerted on the forward lever arm 4, the rearward lever arm 4" pivots upwardly about the axis 5 and forces journal 6a upwardly out of the second slot portion 7". With the journal 6a in the first slot portion 7 the housing is pivoted into the holding position, as described above.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be under stood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A releasable heel hold-down device for a ski binding including a base part arranged to be mounted on a ski surface and to extend in the longitudinal direction of the ski, a housing extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski and having a first end arranged to be located adjacent the portion of the heel of a ski boot on the ski and a second end spaced rearwardly along the ski from the first end, a heel hold-down member secured to the first end of said housing, a crank extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski and pivotally connected to said base part about a first axis and to said housing about a second axis, the first and second axes of the pivotal connection of said crank being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the ski, an elongated adjustable spring mounted on one end on said crank at the end thereof closer to the first end of said housing and extending toward the second end of said housing, abutment means in said device located adjacent the second end of said housing for supporting the other end of said adjustable spring, means for displaceably mounting said housing relative to said base part, wherein the improvement comprises that said means for displaceably mounting said housing comprises an L-shaped slot in said base part and a journal attached to said housing and movably displaceable through said L-shaped slot, said L-shaped slot comprising a first leg extending generally in the longitudinal direction of the ski and a second leg extending downwardly from one end of said first leg and at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the ski, said L-shaped slot spaced in the longitudinal direction of the ski from said first and second axes, said first and second axes and said journal forming three corners of a triangle and said second axis and said journal defining the opposite ends of a connecting line, said housing being displaceable between a holding position for securing the heel of a ski boot on a ski, a release position for releasing the heel of the ski boot and a locked release position so that in the holding position and the locked release position said first axis is located above the connecting line extending between said second axis and said journal.

2. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said journal is located in said first leg of said slot when said first axis is located above the connecting line between said second axis and said journal and in the release position of said housing said first axis is located below the connecting line and said journal is located in said second leg of said slot.

3. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second leg of said slot extends substantially perpendicularly to said first leg of said slot and the wall of said second leg closer to the second end of said housing serves as a locking support for said journal in the locked release position of said housing.

4. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the perpendicular distance of the first axis from the connecting line between the second axis and said journal in the holding position of said housing is greater than the perpendicular distance of said first axis from said connecting line in the release position of said housing.

5. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a support connects one end of said spring on said crank adjacent the first end of said housing and a support is located at the opposite end of said spring adjacent the second end of said housing and said support is mounted on one of said housing and said base part.

6. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said support for said spring mounted on said crank is located in the holding position of said housing above said first and second axes and forwardly of said first axis relative to the first end of said housing.

7. a releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said crank forms an elongated lever extending from adjacent the first end of said housing to a position rearwardly of the second end of said housing so that the end of said crank projecting from the second end of said housing can be operated for releasing the heel hold-down member.

8. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a two-arm lever is pivotally mounted on said base part for rotation about a third axis extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of said housing and located between the first end of said housing and said journal thereon, said lever having a first lever arm extending forwardly from said third axis to a position projecting outwardly from the first end of said housing and forming a heel plate and a second arm extending in the opposite direction from said third axis relative to said first lever arm and arranged below said journal so that in the released position of said housing when a downward force is exerted on the forward end of said first lever arm said second lever arm is pivoted upwardly about said third axis for displacing said journal from the second leg of said slot into the first leg of said slot. 

1. A releasable heel hold-down device for a ski binding including a base part arranged to be mounted on a ski surface and to extend in the longitudinal direction of the ski, a housing extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski and having a first end arranged to be located adjacent the portion of the heel of a ski boot on the ski and a second end spaced rearwardly along the ski from the first end, a heel hold-down member secured to the first end of said housing, a crank extending in the longitudinal direction of the ski and pivotally connected to said base part about a first axis and to said housing about a second axis, the first and second axes of the pivotal connection of said crank being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the ski, an elongated adjustable spring mounted on one end on said crank at the end thereof closer to the first end of said housing and extending toward the second end of said housing, abutment means in said device located adjacent the second end of said housing for supporting the other end of said adjustable spring, means for displaceably mounting said housing relative to said base part, wherein the improvement comprises that said means for displaceably mounting said housing comprises an L-shaped slot in said base part and a journal attached to said housing and movably displaceable through said L-shaped slot, said L-shaped slot comprising a first leg extending generally in the longitudinal direction of the ski and a second leg extending downwardly from one end of said first leg and at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the ski, said L-shaped slot spaced in the longitudinal direction of the ski from said first and second axes, said first and second axes and said journal forming three corners of a triangle and said second axis and said journal defining the opposite ends of a connecting line, said housing being displaceable between a holding position for securing the heel of a ski boot on a ski, a release position for releasing the heel of the ski boot and a locked release position so that in the holding position and the locked release position said first axis is located above the connecting line extending between said second axis and said journal.
 2. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said journal is located in said first leg of said slot when said first axis is located above the connecting line between said second axis and said journal and in the release position of said housing said first axis is located below the connecting line and said journal is located in said second leg of said slot.
 3. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second leg of said slot extends substantially perpendicularly to said first leg of said slot and the wall of said second leg closer to the second end of said housing serves as a locking support for said journal in the locked release position of said housing.
 4. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the perpendicular distance of the first axis from the connecting line between the second axis and said journal in the holding position of said housing is greater than the perpendicular distance of said first axis from said connecting line in the release position of said housing.
 5. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a support connects one end of said spring on said crank adjacent the first end of said housing and a support is located at the opposite end of said spring adjacent the second end of said housing and said support is mounted on one of said housing and said base part.
 6. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said support for said spring mounted on said crank is located in the holding position of said housing above said first and second axes and forwardly of said first axis relative to the first end of said housing.
 7. a releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said crank forms an elongated lever extending from adjacent the first end of said housing to a position rearwardly of the second end of said housing so that the end of said crank projecting from the second end of said housing can be operated for releasing the heel hold-down member.
 8. A releasable heel hold-down device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a two-arm lever is pivotally mounted on said base part for rotation about a third axis extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of said housing and located between the first end of said housing and said journal thereon, said lever having a first lever arm extending forwardly from said third axis to a position projecting outwardly from the first end of said housing and forming a heel plate and a second arm extending in the opposite direction from said third axis relative to said first lever arm and arranged below said journal so that in the released position of said housing when a downward force is exerted on the forward end of said first lever arm said second lever arm is pivoted upwardly about said third axis for displacing said journal from the second leg of said slot into the first leg of said slot. 